MIAMI

★

Media day is a bit of a bore for the drivers, and it remains boring for the rest of the team too, it would seem.

However, somehow, Sophia has found herself in front of a camera having to explain the basics of removing an F1 tyre, not only to the audience that is going to be McLaren's Instagram followers, but to two very confused looking Papaya drivers.

Oscar has that look on his face (who is Sophia kidding, he always has that look on his face) where he looks focused on the task at hand. On the other hand, Lando doesn't bother masking his confusion, his brows furrowing and rising as Sophia explains, gesturing with her hands to try and simplify the motions of unscrewing and screwing the tyre back on.

Why they picked her, she still doesn't know, though she suspects Lando might have pulled some strings to put her on the spot. But she isn't herself if she doesn't do it as best as she can.

She claps her hands when she's finished speaking, turning to either side of her to examine the participants of the challenge. Oscar nods, seemingly ready, while Lando mutters "How hard can it be?"

Sophia smirks to herself, knowing that this is indeed going to be hard for them, considering they haven't done it before.

"Alright, begin," she says in her most presenter-like voice, stepping aside so the cameraman can capture the drivers' anguish.

Sophia stands a little further behind Lando, which, for the record, was totally coincidental, her arms crossed as she watches him use the wheel gun to remove the wheel nuts one by one, frequently jumpscaring himself by the sudden sound of the tool. She has to stifle a laugh.

Oscar, on the other side of the car, is much more composed, doing a better job of the tyre change, while also providing the audience with snarky remarks thrown at Lando.

When it's time to screw the new tyre on, Lando doesn't grasp it properly, causing it to slip from his hands and roll all the way down the garage, earning a laugh from Oscar as well as Sophia, who the camera pans to as she rushes to catch the rolling tyre before it ends up in the middle of the pitlane.

"Oh, come on, this is rigged!" Lando complains, looking like a poor imitation of a kicked puppy.

"You'll get 'em next time," Sophia jokingly reassures, patting his back once with her free hand, handing him his lost tyre with the other.

"Do I have to?" he asks, eyeing the tyre before his gaze falls back on her face, still looking sad as ever.

"Come on, Lan, weren't you the one who said 'Never back down'?"

Lando's eyes fall to his shoes for a second, and when they finally meet Sophia's again, she notices the smallest smile on his face, one he's trying to suppress, but the dimples around his mouth are giving him away.

"I did, didn't I?" With a sigh, he crouches back down, positioning the tyre and grabbing the wheel gun, ready to try again.

"That's the spirit." Sophia backs down with a smile, letting him get back to it, while noticing that Oscar has finished.

"Voila," he says, gesturing with his hands.
Sophia huffs out a laugh, then goes over to inspect his work, which turns out to be quite flawless.

"Wow, I'm impressed. We have a winner," Sophia announces to the camera, clapping softly as Oscar bows with a hand on his heart.

"Hey, I did it," Lando proudly says from the other side of the car, straightening up while waiting for Sophia to inspect his own work. She feels his gaze searing into her during the time it takes her to get to him and to examine the tyre, until she gets back up and faces him.

"See, you did it. That's why we never give up." She says the last part partially to him, partially to the camera, in an attempt to make this short social media content inspirational or whatever.

"That's right," Lando agrees, his smile now wide.

"So, there you have it," Oscar says, joining them as he faces the camera. "We are certified mechanics."

Sophia's lips twist into a wince, and she slowly shakes her head at the camera. Lando notices, elbowing her softly. With that, she shrugs and the cameraman stops filming.

"That was fun," she says, moving to be in front of both of the boys.

"Is that your idea of fun?" Lando asks, furrowing his brows in bewilderment.

"Not everyone likes driving 300 kilometers an hour like crazy." She crosses her arms. "No offense," she adds, glancing at Oscar.

"None taken. This is very entertaining, but I'll leave you to it."

With Oscar retreating, Sophia is left staring at Lando, who has mirrored her crossed arms, making them look like they're about to throw hands.

"What?" she asks after no words are spoken for a good few seconds.

Lando shrugs, his stubborn gaze never leaving the familiarity of her face. "You know, papaya looks really good on you." He takes a step forward, stopping just next to her, his breath dangerously close to her cheek. "Soph."

The soft whisper of the familiar nickname as well as the proximity sends a shiver down her spine. She doesn't dare turn around, though she knows he's retreated, isn't next to her anymore.

She breathes in sharply, her feet unconsciously leading her out of the garage.

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dear reader!

i took the never back down never what thing and ran with it even tho he said it ages later than when this takes place but whatevs hope u enjoyed this silly chapter